On the last case, just 32% said it was too harsh while 50% thought the sentence was right.

Almost half (48%) of people thought the sentences for rioters were about right, with the remainder more likely to think they were too soft (31%) than too harsh (14%).

There also seemed to be support for stripping convicted rioters of their benefit entitlements, with 68% backing that idea.

While 62% backed the idea that rioters should be evicted from social housing, support dropped radically when the punishment was extended to the families of children who were involved, with just 34% supporting it.

A slim majority wanted the return of national service, although this suggestion was considerably more popular with the over-60s than it was with younger respondents.

There was much more support for a national service requirement that focused on community work, with 77% backing the idea.

David Cameron's desire to recognise marriage in the tax system, a key demand for Tory backbenchers, gained little support, with just39% backing it while 48% said it was not the government's place to promote marriage.

The party polling put Labour on 40%, the Conservatives on 36% and the Liberal Democrats on 11%, suggesting deterioration in Labour's lead.